Burnley secure playoff place with emphat

Burnley made sure of a playoff place yesterday after an impre sivewin against Bristol City ensured a top 6th finish.A penalty brace from Graham Alexander and a goal each from Elliot andGudjonson secureda bigwin for the Clarets ina gamewhere Burnley knew a win would secure that precious playoff place.Beforehand the Clarets were lying in 6th place,two points above local rivals Preston in 7th, and one point behind Cardiff City in 5th, which meant that even if Burnley lost they could still clinch 6th place provided Preston lost.Burnley made no changes to the starting 11 as Owen Coyle announced the same team that drew at Southampton, the only change was on the bench where the Clarets welcomed back lanky striker Steven Thompson who had been out for 6 weeks due to an ankle injuryThe Clarets were Cole Bardreau Men Jersey the team that set the pace early on as they came out of the starting blocks on a mi sion. A corner was forced after just 20 seconds, and Clarke Carlisle headed just over the bar as he met Robbie Blakes outswinging ball.Two chances in two minutes for Chris McCann soon followed, the wasfirst was headed straight at the City goalkeeper, and the second was unfortunately headed just wide.Minutes later the Clarets came close yet again.Wade Elliot was the provider again whodid well out wide andthen played in Chris Eagles who hit his shot from Matt Niskanen Women Jersey just eight yards out, butunfortunately he saw it crash against the cro sbar.The Clarets failed to make their early 20 minute dominance count and Bristol City reminded us all that they werent just there to make up the numbers as Izzy Iriekpen fired a low shot acro s the face of goal which was just begging for a City leg to tap it home.Then news began to filter through to Turf Moor that a bizarre goal fromJon Parkin had given Preston the lead, and as it stood at that point, Burnley were to finish7th.However, Burnleys drop below the playoff line lasted le s than five minutes. Yet again that man Wade Elliot surged into the Bristol City box after taking on several defenders and was thenfouled by McAllister which gave the referee no option but to point at the penalty spot.Graham Alexender inevatably stepped up, who hasnt mi sed from the spotin over four years. Alexander wasnt about to break his record and he fired high into the top corner toedge the Clarets into the lead.Minutes later and the Clarets doubled their lead. After a corner from Blake the ball broke to Elliot on the edge of the box who fired hard and lowthrough a ma s of bodies and into the net and put Burnley Bobby Clarke Men Jersey in the driving seat.Wade Elliot celebrates his goalThe two quickfire goals made sure the Clarets fans had a relaxing half time interval, but there was no doubt that there was still plenty of work to do againsta Bristol City side who showed plenty of quality at times.The second half started at alot quieter pace as Burnley tried to slow the Brian Propp Men Jersey game down and prevent any Bristol City chances and kept as many men as po sible behind the ball.Chances became rare for both sides and it wasnt until 10 minutes into the secondhalfthat one was produced when Elliot ended a mazy run with a shot straight at the Bristol City goalkeeper Ba so.After such a fantastic performance Elliot picked up a knock andwas replaced by Joey Gudjonson, Elliot was then sent straight down the tunnel into the medical room, hopefully thatwas just a precaution.Minutes later Clarke Carlisle suffered the same fate and the Clarets had to regroup in defence with Alexander slipping into right back and Rhys Williams was forced to play at centre back.After several minutes of a slow paced game the Clarets began to get forward again, and it wasnt long before they were 3-0 up.Chris Eagles played a high ball into the box towards Martin Patterson, but Bradley Orr bizarrely handled the ball and the Clarets were awarded their second penalty of the game.Alexander stepped up and yet again fired past the keeper who was rooted to the spot, this beig his Travis Konecny Kids Jersey tenth goal of the season.Alexander Celebrates his penaltyMinutes later the Clarets made that playoff spot anabsolute certainty. Chris Eagles broke into the box and fired a shot hard and low towards the goal, Ba so saved well but Joey Gudjonson was quick off the mark and got to the rebound and made the score 4-0.The full time whistle went and sparked celebrations in the stands at Turf Moor.My BFC man of the match: Wade ElliotFinal ScoreBurnley 4-0 Bristol City
 
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